Hardwick at arms length on Martin future
Apr 12, 2017 - 1:03 AM Every weekend, Dustin Martin's performances seem to increase his wage demands for 2018, but Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is relaxed about the AFL midfielder's future.Martin, 25, has powered the Tigers to a perfect start to the season with an extraordinary output in three games.
No AFL player has gathered more kicks, while his clearance, inside 50 and goal assist numbers are elite.
Eight goals also has Martin on track for a top-10 finish in the Coleman Medal.
Little wonder that attention is then focused on the dollars that Martin might command in his next pay deal, given he is unsigned from next season.
Another coach might stress about the issue, but Hardwick has given the matter over to football chiefs Dan Richardson and Neil Balme to thrash out a deal with Martin's manager, Ralph Carr.
"Dan and Neil and Ralph are working weekly to make sure we get the best result for our footy club," Hardwick said on Wednesday.
"We're happy with where it's at.
"Dustin has been terrific for us and our footy club has been terrific for Dustin also.
"He's a great guy. He's really grown up as a person and a lot of that has really come down to our football club, the support of his father and the support of his manager.
"As long as he keeps playing great football that for me is the number one thing."
The unresolved pay talks stoush between the league and the players' association means that clubs don't have certainty on their future wage structures.
Hardwick admitted the conflict impacted the club but, again, he's happy to be hands-off on the issue.
"I leave that area up to Dan and Neil and Blair Hartley (check), our list management team in theory to get the contracts signed," he said.
"I just worry about getting the best out of my 42, 43 players."
Source: AAP
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